Pelicans Add Swingman Sharpshooter
New Orleans, LA - The New Orleans Pelicans claimed forward Matt Ryan off waiver on Sunday. The 6-8 swingman last played for the Minnesota Timberwolves before being waived in October. Ryan's two-way contract with New Orleans fills the final two-way deal available. Dereon Seabron and Kaiser Gates occupy the other two slots.
Ryan went undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft before playing in the G League with the Grand Rapids Gold. His first NBA stint came in 2022 when he joined the Boston Celtics. Boston waived him the same year, and Ryan joined the Los Angeles Lakers.
Nov 2, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Matt Ryan (37) shoots against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan appeared in 12 games with the Lakers, including one against the Pelicans when he made an improbable three-point shoot from the corner to send the game into overtime. Los Angeles won the game 120-117. For his NBA career, Ryan averaged 3.6 points on 37% shooting from beyond the arc. The Pelicans roster stands at 17 with the move, including three two-way contracts.
The signing adds some flexibility to the Pelicans roster amid injuries to start the season. Both Trey Murphy III and Naji Marshall expect to miss the start of the season, dealing with various injuries. New Orleans opens its regular season on Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies.
